By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
North Attleborough’s Pride Festival has grown over the past five years from a small community gathering to a celebration that brought together nearly 70 vendors and local organizations for a day centered on inclusion, acceptance and belonging.
Artisans sold handmade goods alongside local authors, craft studios, healthcare providers, food vendors and advocacates, while families gathered for live entertainment from School of Rock, drag story time, children’s activities and speeches from local leaders.
State Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough) opened the event on Saturday, June 27, by reflecting on Pride Month alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
“This year is a remarkable one,” Scanlon said. “As we prepare to welcome visitors from around the world during the World Cup, they’re also seeing communities working every day to become more welcoming, inclusive and accepting.”
He said Massachusetts has long been at the forefront of expanding civil rights and urged attendees to continue building communities where everyone feels they belong.
“Your presence sends a powerful message about the kind of community North Attleborough is and strives to become,” he said.
North Attleborough Poet Laureate Kayla Roy echoed that message, reading excerpts from Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese” before sharing an original poem she wrote for the occasion.
“You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves,” Roy read before telling the crowd, “Today, as Pride Month comes to a close, we keep persisting, living and loving. That’s powerful.”
Her poem, titled “A Loving Letter to You and to June,” encouraged attendees to “stand tall and proud,” “come as we are,” and remember that “above all, simply be who you are, who you’ve always been, whoever you want to become.”
Later in the afternoon, Town Councilor Kevin McCarthy reflected on how volunteering with the festival has helped change his understanding of Pride.
“Three years ago, I didn’t fully understand what Pride meant,” McCarthy said. “Like a lot of people, I thought it was about being gay.”
After hearing personal stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community, he said he realized Pride is about something much broader: “the freedom to be who you are without backlash.”
“They’re not any different from anyone else,” he said. “They want the same things we all do — to be accepted, welcomed, free and to be themselves.”
Among vendors was Michael Merline, owner of The Tune Butler, who displayed records, CDs and cassettes for sale while sharing information about LGBTQ+ musicians and allies throughout music history.
“Music is one of the most connecting things that someone could have,” Merline said. “If they realize there are certain musicians and bands connected to them in one way or another, that makes it all worthwhile. I love sharing knowledge because it empowers people.”
Some messages shared at the festival were different.
On a sidewalk near the entrance, members of Waters Church in North Attleborough stood at a table offering prayer and discussing their Christian beliefs with passersby.
Kyle McIntyre said he and fellow church member Patrick Straus viewed the outreach as something they were called upon to do.
“Do we believe that homosexuality is a sin? Yes, we do, because God’s word says that it is,” McIntyre said.
Straus said he feels obliged to help those he believes have been led astray, likening it to stopping a child who was about to jump off a bridge.
“What I see right now is people lost and drowning and they need a savior. I have the truth and the truth sets us all free,” Straus said.
He added, “The Bible says that when man sleeps with man it’s an abomination, and that’s the truth. . . But the Lord is the solution.”
A short distance away, members of Second Congregational Church of Attleboro offered a different expression of Christianity, inviting children and adults to make Pride crafts while distributing LGBTQ+-affirming books and information about their congregation.
“We do this every year,” Paula Foresman said. “We really feel that if we’re going to call ourselves Christian, we need to walk the walk and talk the talk. All are welcome. We’re an open and affirming church, and that’s part of who we are.”
Michael Touloumtzis said his congregation wants LGBTQ+ individuals to know they will be accepted as they are.
“When we say we’re open and affirming, we have a statement that was written and voted on because people don’t want to walk into a church wondering, ‘They say they’re welcoming, but are they welcoming me?'” Touloumtzis explained.
He said his pastor often summarizes the church’s message in one sentence.
“God loves you,” Touloumtzis said, “and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
For Purple Rooster Cafe owner Diana Martinez, who has participated in the festival for the past three years, supporting Pride is personal.
“This is our third year doing it,” Martinez said. “A lot of my staff are gay or lesbian or grew up with two moms, and they become like family. There’s a lot of hate, so that’s why we try to come out and support.”